Lag BaOmer 1991 coin given directly by the Rebbe. Diameter: 4 cm. Silver? Small stains. Good condition.
Coin description: Obverse: on the uper part: "תפארת שבתפארת ה’תנש"א, ב"ה" On both sides: "ב’ אייר IYAR 2 5751". On the lower part, the inscription: "LUBAVITCH WORLD HEADQUARTERS". Reverse: on the upper part: "און איך זאג לכתחילה אריבער". In the center: "כ"ק אדמו"ר מוהר"ש נ"ע ב’ אייר תקצ"ד – י"ג תשרי תרמ"ג" and on the lower part: "שנת הצדי"ק. שנת אראנו נפלאות".
In 1990, the Rebbe handed out a special coin to the participants of the procession. In 1991, he also did so; yet a special story preceded, told by the secretary Rabbi Chaim Yehuda Krinsky:
On the 2nd of Iyar, Rabbi Krinsky traveled with the Rebbe to Ohel. On the way, the Rebbe told Rabbi Krinsky to issue coins whose content is the 2nd of Iyar and he will hand them out on Lag BaOmer. Sometime later, the Rebbe asked what was the connection between the 2nd of Iyar and lag BaOmer? Rabbi Krinsky replied that he had once heard from the Rebbe that Lag BaOmer and the 2nd of Iyar are Hod Shebahod, one being counted from Passover and the other from Shavu’ot. Top-down and from the ground up. The Rebbe was satisfied with Rabbi Krinsky’s reply and indeed, the coins were issued.
Thursday, the 18th of Iyar Lag BaOmer 1991
At noon, the word was spread that the Admor was going to hand out the special coin that was just issued. Great excitement ensued since this was the second Chalukah of the week.
Before the Aravit prayer, an enormous crowd came to 770. After the prayer service, the Admor approached the designated lectern and delivered a Sicha of approx. 15 minutes. During the Sicha, the Admor explained the relationship between Lag BaOmer and the Admor the Moharash, explaining also the surprising inscription on the coin: "ב’ אייר", which was handed out on Lag BaOmer.
The Chaluka took approx. three and a half hours and during it, the Admor handed out approx. 8000 coins.
See more: Mazkeret Netzach published by the students of the Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch Yeshiva, New York, 2011.
